Most appealing transit chests. Show yours.

[smle addict]

Here are my 4T and L42 cases. I took the plunge and started working the paint with acetone. On the 4T case, I found the "Woolwich Arsenal" stencil. End tag matches my rifle serial #. Also kept the original receipt from the previous owner when he ordered it from the Hunters Lodge. Check out that price!

On the L42 transit case, the acetone revealed a previous rifle/scope combination. The paper end-tag matches the rifle and scope. I didnt venture any deeper through the paint. There are many more coats, and I didnt want to lose its history as Mr Laidler pointed out.

[husk]

This one appeals to me.

[husk]

Attachment 62970Attachment 62971Shipping labels on a different chest from 1959

[rayg]

The acetone did a good job enabling the original stenciling to show.

Here's the chest I have that goes with and is numbered to the all correct and matching rifle, scope, and scope case I have. The chest has lots of lettering and stamps that Peter had translated. Hope I copied his info correct. Along with the rifles serial stenciled on it and other stenciled numbers it has a “IV” indicating the Issue Voucher number which was RSG (returned Stores Group,) an L- B1 which is a vocab prefix for a rifle, indicating that it is valuable and must be locked up, and a number 50 which is possibly the year of return/disposal. There are other stenciled stamps on the chest including a large “Stores” and there is the chest manufacturers name and 1944 date stamped on the side of the chest. The original leather carrying straps have been period replaced with canvas machine gun ammo belts. There also is the list of contents that are supposed to be in the chest glued on the inside cover of the chest . Ray

Attachment 62972Attachment 62973Attachment 62974Attachment 62975Attachment 62976Attachment 62977Attachment 62978Attachment 62979

[rayg]

Both rifle and the scope's serial numbers are stenciled on the chest and also on a paper glued inside the scope can. Nice it all stayed together with the rifle. Ray

[Warren]

Attachment 62999
Plus I have the rifle and scope, albeit a bit well used and beat up but complete
Ransford was head of the British purchasing commission during WW II in both New York and Canada. He seems a bit of an enigma as little is know of him and his work other than reference in the Canadian Inspection department diaries.
Numerous requests for info to the UK have fallen on deaf ears, however Mk. VII came through as usual and I did receive some interesting material on Ransford from him.

[Son]

ok, can I play?
A couple of these pics have been up here before.

Attachment 63000Attachment 63001Attachment 63002Attachment 63003Attachment 63004Attachment 63005Attachment 63006Attachment 63007

[Peter Laidler]

We got your request at Warminster Warren and be assured that it didn't fall on deaf ears. Simply that we had nothing on him except a photograph of him in the early 30's with a group taken during the Bren trials. As for the photo......... It's in the US with the rest of the Bren book papers!

[Warren]

ok, can I play?
A couple of these pics have been up here before.

Attachment 63000Attachment 63001Attachment 63002Attachment 63003Attachment 63004Attachment 63005Attachment 63006Attachment 63007

Has anyone seen a box similar to the above that apparently was for two Pattern 14 snipers ???
It is mentioned in some manuals and took two rifles with scopes but to my knowledge no one has seen on in captivity.

[Lee Enfield]

Attachment 62999
Plus I have the rifle and scope, albeit a bit well used and beat up but complete
Ransford was head of the British purchasing commission during WW II in both New York and Canada. He seems a bit of an enigma as little is know of him and his work other than reference in the Canadian Inspection department diaries.
Numerous requests for info to the UK have fallen on deaf ears, however Mk. VII came through as usual and I did receive some interesting material on Ransford from him.

"Brigadier Ernest Merrill Ransford, CBE, veteran of the Great War, died
30 July, 2002, at Aldringham, Suffolk, at the great age of 105.
He was born in 1897, the son of Dr J.E. Ransford, of Birkdale,
Lancashire, and was educated at Clifton and the Royal Military
College.

Ransford was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment in
1916, served in the Great War, 1914-18, and the War of 1939-45 (UK,
Canada and the USA), Lieutenant-Colonel, 1940; Colonel, 1941;
Brigadier, 1944; retired from the army, 1952.

He was an Officer of the Legion of Merit, USA. He was appointed CBE in
1951.

His home at Aldeburgh, Suffolk was Way O'The Wind.

Brig. Ransford married in 1923, Janet Mary, (deceased), daughter of Dr
W.F.A. Clowes, of Colchester. There was one son of the marriage,
Richard (deceased), and one daughter, Cilla.

The funeral service is at Aldeburgh Parish Church, Suffolk, Wednesday
7 August, 2002, at 2 p.m."

Try Google;

seems to have been an interesting fellow.

There is a collection at the IWM which was apparently donated by him.
Recommendation for Award for Ransford, Ernest M Rank: Brigadier Regiment: ... | The National Archives